On this week's episode, The Courier's campaigns editor Sean O'Neill joins The Stooshie to talk about the Voice for Victims campaign which pushed for changes to legislation to improve the parole system for victims and their families.

Sean discusses why this is so important and how locals let down by the system inspired the campaign. And most importantly - what comes next?

We look at a hard-hitting series about the institutional failures which added to an abuse survivor’s ordeal in the Highlands.

The Stooshie delves into the repercussions of The Chameleon, published by the P&J.

We look at the political impact, the need for big changes and how survivors can be better protected.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton also joins us for a run-through of his ambitions for next May’s elections, as the party heads to its conference this weekend.

The SNP conference is being held in Aberdeen this weekend, and there’s an election around the corner.

SNP MP Graham Leadbitter joins the Stooshie to look at the big talking points.

We cover the ever-present focus of independence, the policies getting people talking and the challenges for John Swinney.

And we look at the political challenge from a bruised Conservative party and an upstart Reform group.

Maurice Golden is calling time on dog thieves.

He hopes a new law that could seem them caged for five years will pass its first Scottish Parliament hurdle.

In the Stooshie, the North East MSP sets out why dog theft is different and describes surprising links to organised crime gangs.

First, the team discusses the impact of placing asylum seekers at a university campus in Aberdeen full of international students.

And how a wall of silence in Perth & Kinross led to important discussions about reporting immigration stories.

Labour MP Graeme Downie talks to us about the health of the party before conference begins in Liverpool.

He was in Dunfermline with deputy leadership candidate Lucy Powell this week, after the resignation of Angela Rayner.

What do MPs think of Keir Starmer’s leadership?

How are they fighting Reform’s advance?

And what is the mood in Scottish Labour before a crucial Holyrood election next spring?

Asylum seekers are being moved from hotels to student halls of residence - what do people in Aberdeen think?

Why is the Home Office being so terrible at explaining what’s happening?

We look at a Reform/Tory turf war in an SNP target seat.

And what do changes to the law mean for victims of crime?

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart also joins to go over his high points and experience with mental health struggles as he prepares to leave parliament next spring.

We look at the big Offshore Europe conference on the energy industry, hearing how there might be grounds for optimism despite upheaval.

Business journalist Kelly Wilson describes the changes over time and the mood in the “energy capital” of Aberdeen.

Also in the Granite City, Nicola Sturgeon was there to promote her book.

Political journalist Denny Andonova was in the audience to hear about everything from roller skating to the battle for Scotland’s flag.

The Stooshie team is refreshed from our summer break … in which we did a lot of work.

Things that got in the way of cocktails by the pool include:

All that and a look ahead to a parliamentary election year in Scotland.

Some stark contrasts in this week’s episode as we look at splits and partnerships in politics.

We look at Fergus Ewing’s dramatic exit from the SNP after decades of service, only to stand against his former party next May.

And we speak to a husband and wife team who secured the top two slots for the Liberal Democrats on the North East Scotland regional ballot paper.

Dundee and the wider Tayside region has served as the pilot for a scheme to tackle public debt.